Buying used camera lenses on eBay to sell on Amazon

Why lenses can be matched well

Lenses have clear model names and mounts, and buyers search for them by exact name. A lens name with its mount, focal length, aperture and version describes one product, which makes a careful match possible.

They are also often listed by people who know what they own. That helps with the name, but not always with condition, as the sections below show.

Brands and mounts

Canon, Nikon and Sony cover most searches. Each has more than one mount, and the mount decides which camera the lens fits and which Amazon item it is.

1. Canon. EF lenses are for Canon's DSLR bodies, EF-S lenses are made for its smaller-sensor DSLRs, and RF lenses are for its mirrorless line.
2. Nikon. F-mount lenses are for DSLRs, and Z-mount lenses are for mirrorless bodies.
3. Sony. E-mount covers Sony's mirrorless bodies, and FE marks lenses designed for full-frame sensors.

When a title says only "Canon 50mm", the mount and version are unknown. Check the photos of the lens barrel and mount before you go further.

Condition and glass grading

Condition decides whether a lens can go on Amazon at all, and at what price. Check three things on every listing.

1. Glass. Look for haze, fungus, scratches and separation. Sellers write "clean", "minor dust" or "cleaning marks", and those words mean different things from one seller to the next. A little dust inside is common. Fungus and haze are a different matter.
2. Mechanics. Does autofocus work, does the zoom ring move smoothly, and does the aperture respond? "Untested" or "for parts" is a different product from a working lens.
3. Cosmetics. Dents, barrel scuffs and a damaged mount all lower the grade.

Check Amazon's condition rules for the category before you buy, including whether your account can list used items there. When the photos do not settle the grade, assume a lower grade than the listing claims.

Common mismatches

• Wrong mount. The same focal length and aperture exist in several mounts. A Canon EF lens and a Canon RF lens with similar names are different items.
• Wrong version. Many lenses have an original and an updated model with nearly identical names, such as a Mark II or III, or a newer motor version. Read the version on the lens and the box, not the headline.
• Missing hood and caps. An Amazon listing for a lens may assume a hood, front cap and rear cap. A lens without them may need a lower condition, and the parts cost money to replace.
• Third-party lenses. Sigma, Tamron and Tokina make lenses in several mounts under similar names. Check which mount the listing actually is.

Do the math by hand

Work from the Amazon side, with the eBay asking price as your cost. Use Amazon's own fee preview for the exact item, not a number from a blog post.

Amazon price for the lens
- Amazon referral and fulfillment fees
- eBay asking price
- eBay shipping to you
- caps or hood you need to add
= profit, before your own costs and taxes

Buying on eBay to sell on Amazon can add risk. Items bought on eBay come with eBay order records, not retail invoices, and some sellers report that Amazon asked for invoices during an account review. We cannot promise how Amazon will treat your account. Keep every receipt and start small. This is not legal advice.

The full method is in how to check whether an eBay listing clears your profit line on Amazon. If you also sell tools, see power tools, the category MarginPing supports.

Questions